Transformed Mindsets Improve the Livelihoods of Communities in Salgaa

Aside from being a Reverend, Beatrice now has an empowered mindset that has motivated her to start a business that not only supports her family but is also supporting vulnerable children in her community.

She is among a group of pastors and religious leaders in Salgaa who received World Vision’s Empowered Worldview training in August 2021, which inspires communities to remain optimistic amidst life challenges and believe in their God-given ability to make a difference in their lives and those of other people.

The Empowered Worldview curriculum works alongside community and faith leaders to create workshops based on five themed modules: identity, vision, compassion, relationships, and faith.

Participants reflect on Scripture, discuss how to apply lessons to their own lives and communities, build relationships with one another, and reshape how they see the world.

This structure paves way for maximum impact. It equips families to increase their incomes, which in turn improves children’s access to good nutrition, education, healthcare, and other life-changing resources. It also strengthens community bonds even across cultural, religious, and social differences—allowing families and community members to break the cycle of poverty together.

The Empowered Worldview training, which was conducted by World Vision’s Faith and Development team, was timely for Pastor Beatrice. For a long time, she had been struggling to raise sufficient finances to support orphans and other needy children in Salgaa.

“During the training, I realised that there is so much more that I can do with my time to empower myself and the community. I decided to start rearing chicken and the business is picking up slowly,” says Rev. Beatrice.

“In my church, there are orphans and children who have been neglected by their parents. Some of their mothers are sex workers and do not make enough money to support their children. Through my chicken business, at least I get something every two months to support some of these children,” adds Rev. Beatrice.

Poverty levels are high in Salgaa and people struggle to provide for their children and families. Studies show that about 29 percent of people earn less than KSh. 100 per day, with poverty being high amongst women-headed households. Limited opportunities for generating income have led to increased crime and negative social activities.

Enduring such difficulties often causes a sense of hopelessness and pushes those affected to develop a defeatist attitude or worldview, which makes them believe that they cannot change their situation and that God has no active presence in their lives.

The Empowered World View training goes a long way in changing these negative mindsets and enabling people to have renewed hope in God and faith that they have the power to turn around their lives.

Having been inspired by the training, Beatrice is keen on cascading the Empowered World View curriculum to congregants in her church, so they can also benefit from it.

“I am also trying to get more funds so that I can sponsor more children to go to school. There are many of them who are dropping out of school because they lack uniforms. My appeal and prayers are for someone with the heart of God to join me in supporting these vulnerable children and families,” she says.

Amidst the many challenges of running a business, Beatrice also remains resilient in her mission to rehabilitate neglected children and orphans in her community. Her dream is to see a rehabilitation and rescue center built in Salgaa.